Budget approved at Full Council

The budget for 2019/20, which sets out investment for services that matter to our residents as well as ensuring front line services are protected, has been approved at Full Council.

We have agreed a 2.99% increase to our Council Tax and this ensures it remains the lowest Band D Council Tax outside London.

There is also capital investment in our roads and highway network, community infrastructure and resident facilities

Councillor MJ Saunders, cabinet member for finance, said: “Officers have been working hard on this budget throughout the year and have had to take into account the uncertainty around Brexit as well as the challenging financial position that all councils have experienced.

“We have seen increasing demand and cost associated with providing children services, adult services and children in care which is expected to continue in 2019/20 and our budget reflects that changing position.

“Through our capital programme we have been able to invest in a variety of key resident services including additional funding for parks and roads which reflect back on the findings from the residents’ survey.”

The highlights of the budget include over £30 million pounds in capital investment:

Investing in community infrastructure with over £2.9 million including:

£83,000 on Christmas lights with new lights in Old Windsor and continued investment in Maidenhead.

£150,000 for improving the Guildhall which includes render, windows and redecorating.

£20,000 on new wayfinding signs in Maidenhead as the regeneration programme continues with new sites like Chapel Arches, Maidenhead waterways and the amphi-theatre.

Investing in our resident facilities with over £14.8 million including: